"Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on some sunglasses"

You know how sometimes you’re just being yourself, living your best life, and then someone comes along and tries to bring you down? That’s what this quote is about. Sometimes, people can’t handle your awesomeness. They get jealous or uncomfortable, and instead of dealing with their own feelings, they try to make you feel bad about being you. It’s like your light is too bright for them, so they want to dim it. But the quote is saying, don’t let them. If your shine is too much, they need to adjust, not you.

Let’s step back in time for a minute. Imagine it’s the 1960s, a time of significant social change. Civil rights movements are in full swing, and people are standing up and demanding to be seen and heard. Think of a leader like Martin Luther King Jr. He was a shining light for many, but there were plenty who wanted to dim that light because they couldn’t handle what it represented. He didn’t let them though. His message was loud, clear, and unwavering. He basically told the world, “If you don’t like it, put on some sunglasses.”

Now, let’s bring it to a more personal level. Picture a high school student, Emma, who loves science. She’s super passionate about it. She’s always talking about her latest experiment or the latest astronomy news. But then, there are those classmates who tease her, calling her a nerd. They roll their eyes when she’s excited about a new discovery. What should Emma do? Should she stop talking about what she loves just because they can’t appreciate it? No way. She should keep shining bright and tell them to deal with it. Maybe they need to find their own passions instead of trying to bring her down.

So how do you apply this to your life? Let’s say you’re at work, and you’ve got this great idea for a project. You’re pumped, you’ve put in the hours, and you know it’s solid. But your colleague, who’s a bit insecure, tries to undermine you. Maybe they say something like, “Oh, that’s too ambitious. It’ll never work.” Instead of letting that get to you, you keep pushing forward. You believe in your idea and yourself. If your enthusiasm is too much for them, that’s their issue, not yours. They need to put on their sunglasses.

Here’s another scenario. Imagine you’re at a family gathering. Everyone’s catching up, and you’re sharing your recent successes—maybe you got a promotion or you’ve started your own business. But then, there’s that one relative who always has to throw in a negative comment. “Don’t get too full of yourself,” they say. How do you respond? You smile and keep shining. You don’t let their discomfort dim your happiness.

Remember, it’s about staying true to who you are. Your light is your own, and it’s there for a reason. If others can’t handle it, it’s their problem to solve, not yours. So, keep shining brightly, unapologetically. Tell them to put on some sunglasses and keep being you.